Throughout December visitors can tour the historic houses at the Deering Estate as they come alive with holiday accents and decorations.
The holiday decorating is an annual tradition and this year features some of South Florida’s top interior designers, led by Deering Estate Designer in Residence, Alfredo Brito. Based in Miami, Brito is an award-winning designer whose talents have been recognized in various publications, including Architectural Digest, Casa & Estilo and Florida Design.
In keeping with the historic significance of the Deering Estate, Brito has recreated the glory of Christmas Eve in the Richmond Cottage in 1903, replete with the sounds, aromas and decorations from that era.
Guests will travel back in time to the when the Richmond’s operated the only hotel between Coconut Grove and Key West and experience the holidays as winter guests of the innkeeper, Ms. Edith Richmond. Brito chose 1903, a year of vibrancy for the little town of Cutler and the year the first teddy bear was introduced, to provide the inspiration for the decor in the Richmond Cottage’s second-floor playroom.
Brito, along with five additional interior designers, have transformed the Stone House with historic holiday decor, instilling in each room the grandeur and iconic beauty of the Gilded Age when Charles Deering was amassing his international art and antiques collection.
The following designers and volunteers donated their time and services for this year’s holiday decorating effort:
Stone House featuring the “Gilded Age”
Library — Roberto Sanchez Design;
Deering Study — Fanny Mesa Drapes by Fanny Design;
Mrs. Deering’s Bedroom — Rosalba Calvo, L’Excellence Design;
Mr. Deering’s Bedroom — Roman Miguel Garcia, Buds ‘n Bloom Floral Design.
Great Hall — 100 Ladies of Deering and Alfredo Brito, and
Second-floor landing and staircase — Pottery Barn, Village at Gulfstream Park and Miami Beach.
Richmond Cottage featuring “Pioneer Holiday”
Alfredo Brito, Deering Estate Designer in Residence.
Alongside the holiday decor, visitors will find new permanent features of the estate’s historical furnishing plan. Complementing the restored historic paint scheme and recently acquired antique furniture pieces, several rooms are now dressed with new textiles including drapes and bedding for the Deerings’ bedrooms. These custom designs, fashioned to replicate the rich embellished layers described in the historic homes’ 1920s inventories, give the rooms a luxurious Old World elegance not seen since the Deering’s family days at Cutler.
The Historic Holiday Decor is on display daily, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., through Jan. 4, 2019, and is free with estate admission: $15 for adults and $7 for children (ages 4-14). Admission is free for Deering Estate Foundation members and children under 4 years old. Note that the Deering Estate is closed on Dec. 25.
